STUDENTS at an academy in Witham were taught life saving defibrillator skills.

On January 20, year nine pupils from Maltings Academy completed their entry level award in defibrillator training with Good Skills Training Limited.

Witham Chamber of Commerce helped to facilitate the training after using lottery funding to have a defibrillator installed in Witham's Newland Shopping Centre in November.

Chairman of the youth chamber Sydney King, had asked for the training to take place in schools so that youngsters wouldn't be afraid to use it in real life situations.

Tina Townsend, chairman of Witham Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are extremely pleased to have agreed an ongoing legacy program of training; it will now be repeated on an annual basis for all year nine pupils at Maltings Academy, so those in year 8 can look forward to doing the training in their next academic year.

"On speaking to Ruth and Ian Bodsworth of Good Skills Training they, like us are passionate in giving our youngsters life skills that may be useful in the future and therefore they have kindly offering to carry out the training free for years to come as a long lasting legacy; we cannot thank them enough for this wonderful gesture."

Students have since described the training as both fun and informative.

Ruth Bodsworth said: "We can’t do this for everyone but we were so impressed with what the Witham Chamber has done both for the businesses in the town and the Youth that we wanted to get involved and do our bit."

There are lottery funds available to run some free training days for the community on April 10, July 8 and October 6 at the Community Hub on Newland Street.

Email events@withamchamber.co.uk to register your interest as soon as possible.